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SCIENTISTS SUGGEST KILLING ANTS WITH VIRUSES
Futurism ^ | 19 June 2022 | Lonnie Lee Hood

Posted on 06/19/2022 4:16:52 PM PDT by Scarlett156

(audio)

Scientists say they've figured out at least part of North America's invasive, imported fire ant problem by turning a virus that kills them into a weapon.

A group of researchers from Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina universities said in their new study, published in the print edition of the Journal of Invertebrate Pathology this month, that they successfully reduced wild Florida populations of imported fire ants. The ants reduce nearby biodiversity, so the team used a virus called Solenopsis invicta virus 3 to kill them.

"Laboratory tests have shown that Solenopsis invicta virus 3 may be an effective natural control agent against its host, the red imported fire ant," the so-authors wrote.

The Washington Post says both the imported red and black fire ants are native to South America and were introduced in the 1930s.

(Excerpt) Read more at futurism.com ...


TOPICS: Food; Gardening; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: ants; bioengineering; invasivespecies; viruses; whatcouldgowrong
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To: Scarlett156

No, because ants are important as part of the food chain, as ground aerators, as seed carriers and as the clean-up crew for carcasses and detritus. And ants eat each other, as well as other insects, so if you destroy one species, you’ll end up with more of their other species and more of the other insects.

Now go gobble some cockroaches, please, Formicidae.


41 posted on 06/19/2022 4:54:19 PM PDT by skr (May God confound the enemy)
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To: Scarlett156

What can go wrong?

Well, lots of things.


42 posted on 06/19/2022 4:54:57 PM PDT by moviefan8 (The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. - M in No Time To Die (2021))
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To: Scarlett156

I think it is terrible idea, given how much trouble our lab rats bring to us.


43 posted on 06/19/2022 4:55:17 PM PDT by GingisK
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To: Qwapisking

Yes.


44 posted on 06/19/2022 4:55:42 PM PDT by BipolarBob (Where is Biden leading us and what's with the hand basket?)
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To: Scarlett156

45 posted on 06/19/2022 4:56:12 PM PDT by David Chase
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To: Scarlett156

Sounds to me somebody was already working on that with NIH funds. Maybe 3 years ago? Maybe with bats?


46 posted on 06/19/2022 4:56:45 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: Scarlett156

Use Covid 19 vaccines, they worked on us!


47 posted on 06/19/2022 4:56:55 PM PDT by PTBAA
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To: Scarlett156

I’m sure it will work out as well as manipulating bat viruses.


48 posted on 06/19/2022 4:59:04 PM PDT by LegendHasIt
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To: Fai Mao
My concern would be what this does to native ants?

Nothing that the left can't blame on Donald Trump and global warming.

49 posted on 06/19/2022 5:01:04 PM PDT by sphinx
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To: Scarlett156

Are you sure it wasn’t Aunts? 😋


50 posted on 06/19/2022 5:04:28 PM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: Scarlett156

Fauci & his Wuhan scientists are perfect for this job...
Give them lots of money...
What could go wrong?


51 posted on 06/19/2022 5:09:05 PM PDT by SuperLuminal
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To: Scarlett156
This works just as well. Besides, what if the ants want to remain purebloods?


52 posted on 06/19/2022 5:10:22 PM PDT by Libloather (Why do climate change hoax deniers live in mansions on the beach?)
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To: Scarlett156

Probably bad but there are no more quail in my area because fire ants kill the eggs/hatchings. People raise hundreds a year to release to keep them around but fire ants kill the yearly cycle. Fire ants need to go away. Need something.

With the coming economic disaster, maybe we can hire an army (old CCC) days to go find and kill every last fire ant mound.


53 posted on 06/19/2022 5:12:10 PM PDT by wgmalabama (We will find out if the Vac or virus risk was the correct choice -can put the truth above narrative )
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To: Libloather

Fire ants are natures way to prevent termites on your home. They also dont go indoors seeking sugar. They are natures yard dogs for worse things in your home. . Leave them alone, watch were you stand or sit.


54 posted on 06/19/2022 5:17:43 PM PDT by Ikeon (Your feelings aren't data, proof or even important to me.)
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To: arizonarick

Bkmk


55 posted on 06/19/2022 5:22:52 PM PDT by ptsal (Vote R.E.D. >>>Remove Every Democrat ***)
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To: Scarlett156; Trillian
Wow, I guess since the pandemic and social unrest didn't kill all of us, they're working overtime to finish the job.

MIT researchers are unveiling their plan to tackle the growing threat of Lyme disease, and it involves releasing thousands of genetically modified mice on Nantucket.

Skinner: Well, I was wrong. The lizards are a godsend.
Lisa: But isn't that a bit short-sighted? What happens when we're overrun by lizards?
Skinner: No problem. We simply release wave after wave of Chinese needle snakes. They'll wipe out the lizards.
Lisa: But aren't the snakes even worse?
Skinner: Yes, but we're prepared for that. We've lined up a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat.
Lisa: But then we're stuck with gorillas!
Skinner: No, that's the beautiful part. When wintertime rolls around, the gorillas simply freeze to death.

56 posted on 06/19/2022 5:28:29 PM PDT by DoodleBob (Gravity's waiting period is about 9.8 m/s^2)
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To: Scarlett156

What’s wrong with ants?


57 posted on 06/19/2022 5:29:57 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: Roman_War_Criminal

There was no sarcasm tag.


58 posted on 06/19/2022 5:30:41 PM PDT by blackdog (Cooler King Joe, killing a winning nation every day. )
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To: Scarlett156

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/cornmeal-in-the-garden.htm

Using Cornmeal Gluten to Kill Ants Cornmeal gluten is also a popular method to control ants. Pouring it wherever you see ants traveling is the best option. They will pick up the gluten and take it to the nest where they will feed on it. Since the ants cannot digest this cornmeal product, they will starve to death. It may take up to a week or so before you see your ant population dwindling. Tip: If you have large areas to cover, you can try a spray form for ease of application. Apply every four weeks, or after heavy rains, during the growing season to maintain effectiveness.

Read more at Gardening Know How: Cornmeal As Weed Killer And Pest Control: How To Use Cornmeal Gluten In The Garden https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/organic/cornmeal-in-the-garden.htm


59 posted on 06/19/2022 5:30:57 PM PDT by Pete from Shawnee Mission ( )
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To: Scarlett156

That reminds me.

I gotta get out and poison a desert red ant hill.


60 posted on 06/19/2022 5:36:08 PM PDT by crz
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